Welcome to THIS special edition of GOOD QUESTION, brought to you exclusively by THISent.com! I’m your host Mr. Joe Walker.
Throughout my illustrious career as an entertainment writer and journalist, I’ve been blessed with opportunities to speak with many notable and famous persons. One of those is entrepreneur Najeema Iman, owner of CURLITUDE and Project Coordinator/Lead Market Curator of The Block Market which supports Black entrepreneurs and small business owners.
During our conversation I asked Najeema THIS good question: What is it about you that makes what you do attractive?
She answered, “Me! I’m not ego trippin’, vibe with me.
For a long time, I sought to completely remove “You” that makes my business unique. I love color and texture. I create in color. I live in color. I wear texture. I live textured. I create textures. I am attractive because I do me every day. I strive to be the best me and communicate this through my work. I hope to add a little sparkle to everyone that I come in contact with.
I read this saying years ago in a posting by Humans of New York: “I create what I love and sell the leftovers.”
That saying has kind of stuck with me. I am at my best as a creative when I make things that I like freely without restriction. I have a little something for everyone. I mix mediums and incorporate unique materials such as eggshells, paper, ink, bottle caps, etc. I am not afraid to, as Miss Frizzle says “Take chances. Make Mistakes. Get Messy.”
My lines are never straight, my fingernails are always stained, but for the most part they create beautiful things. I am the “You” in the uniqueness of my business.
By being myself, I am naturally extroverted, so I love to talk to people from all walks of life. You have to meet people where they are, not where you want them to be. I mean a simple smile goes a long way.” |THIS.
